Foldable chair seating assemblage



Dec. 24, 1957 R. s. WALWORTH 2,817,122

FOLDABLE CHAIR SEATING ASSEMBLAGE Filed Feb. 4, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1N VEN TOR.

MM/XMW A TTOR/VEYS.

Dec. 24, 1957 R. s. WALWORTH 2,817,122

FOLDABLE CHAIR SEATING ASSEMBLAGE Filed Feb. 4, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent FOLDABLE CHAIR SEATING ASSEMBLAGE Robert S. Walworth, Berlin, Wis., assignor to Berlin Chapman Company, Berlin, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application February 4, 1955, Serial No. 486,070

4 Claims. (Cl. 20-1126) The present invention relates generally to improvements in seating assemblages for spectators, and relates more particularly to improvements in the construction and operation of seating assemblages of the retractable or foldable type having chair seats arranged in tiers.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved foldable bleacher or grandstand assemblage which is not only simple and durable in construction and free and easy in operation, but which is also adapted to provide the utmost comfort for the users.

Various types of folding bleacher structures have heretofore been proposed for use in gymnasiums, arenas, and similar public places wherein spectator events are promoted. However, in efforts to provide unitary assemblages of sufliciently sturdy and durable construction to accommodate the necessary loads, considerable difficulty has been encountered in designing the assemblages to provide for simplicity, ease of operation, and compactness when folded and not in use. Furthermore, all of the previous known bleacher assemblages of the folding type merely provide rows of transverse seats which are entirely devoid of back rests and which are therefore extremely uncomfortable for the spectator, especially during periods of long duration. In the copending application of Robert S. Walworth and Norman P. De Namur, Serial No. 443,884, filed July 16, 1954, and entitled Foldable Seating Assemblage, most of the previous objections to structures of the type in question have been overcome, and the foldable bleacher assemblage shown in such copending application has proven exceedingly satisfactory in every respect except for the lack of spectator comfort due to the absence of back rests and individual seating arrangements.

It is therefore a more specific object of the present invention to provide an improved foldable chair seating assemblage which obviates all of the objections and disadvantages heretofore attendant similar folding structures.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved foldable bleacher assemblage in which the successive tiers are provided with comfortable individual chair seats for the spectators.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide an improved retractable tiered bleacher assemblage in which individual chair seats are provided in series along each tier, and in which the chair seats are adapted to be folded to a nested condition between tiers when the assemblage is in closed and in inoperative condition.

Still another specific object of my invention is to provide an improved foldable bleacher assemblage of novel construction in which the successive rows or tiers are relatively movable from distended condition to a nested condition, and in which rows of individual chair seats are carried by the several tiers for folding from a distended ice be quickly and easily assembled or dismantled with a minimum amount of effort and which provides an exceedingly comfortable and sturdy seating arrangement for spectator use when distended while being capable of folding to a compactly nested condition when not in use.

A further specific object of the present invention is to provide a foldable seating assemblage comprising, successive transverse rows of interconnected upright supports of gradually decreasing heights, a forwardly presented platform carried by each row and spaced at decreasing levels, means for interconnecting the successive rows to permit relative movement toward and away from the highest row with the platforms in and out of nested condition, and a foldable chair or chairs secured to at least the platform of lower order, the chair when distended extending above the next succeeding platform and when folded adapted for nesting within the space between platforms.

These and other specific objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the several features constituting the present improvement, and of the mode of constructing and of utilizing foldable chair seat bleacher assemblages embodying the invention may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side view of the improved chair seat bleachers or grandstand assemblage with the tiers of seat carrying platforms and their respective chair seats being shown in fully opened or distended condition;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the seating assemblage with the several tiers and chair seats shown more-or-less diagrammatically in fully closed or folded condition;

Fig. 3 is a considerably enlarged fragmentary view taken through one of the chair carrying platforms along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 with the chairs being again shown in open or distended condition;

Fig. 4 is a somewhat enlarged side view of one of the chair carrying platforms with the chair being shown in folded inactive position; and

Fig. 5 is another considerably enlarged fragmentary side view of one of the mounting brackets for the foldable chair seats.

While the invention has been shown and described herein as being especially advantageously applicable to indoor foldable bleacher assemblages having a certain number of tiers and adapted for attachment to a wall with a series of foldable chair seats of a particular design secured to each of the several platforms, it is not intended or desired to thereby unnecessarily limit or restrict the scope or utility of the invention; and it is furthermore contemplated that certain specific descriptive terms used herein shall be given the broadest possible interpretation consistent with the disclosure.

Referring to the drawings, the foldable chair seat bleacher assemblage shown therein as embodying the invention comprises, in general, a predetermined series of successive transverse rows of upright supports of gradually decreasing heights and including a row of stationary rear supports 7, relatively movable rows of intermediate upright supports 8, and a front support 9 of smallest height; means such as a transverse beam 10 for rigidly interconnecting the lower ends of the upright sup ports 8 of at least each of the intermediate rows; sets of forwardly presented beams 11, 12, 13 carried by each of the upright supports 7, 8, 9 of the rear intermediate and front rows respectively, the successive sets of forwardly presented beams each being spaced at a decreasing level relative to the succeeding set of beams and each set of beams being provided with platform forming members 14, 15, 16 extending transversely thereaeross; ground engaging tandem wheel units 17 for each of the interscissors or lazy tongs arrangement ltlfor interconnecting :the successive rows .of upright supports '7, -8, 9 and for guiding the same while permitting relative movement thereof toward and awayfrom the tallest row of supports 7; and a transverse series of foldable chairs 21, 22, 23 secured to the respective platforms 14, 15, 16, the chairs of each row or tier when in distended condition extending above the next succeeding platform of higher order and in folded condition adapted for nesting within the space between adjacent platforms as will hereinafter be more fully described.

The rear row of stationary upright supports 7 is usually rigidly attached to a wall 25 or the like in any convenient manner as by means of a bolt 26, and aprons 27 may be provided at opposite ends of the rows of uprights so as to protect the wheel units 17 when the assemblage is in folded condition as shown in Fig. 2. The rear uprights 7 may also be provided at their upper ends with a transverse board 28 forming a rear platform of highest order, and each set of forwardly presented beams may be adjustably attached to their respective uprights by means of bracket members 29 which are more fully described in the copending application Serial No. 443,884 hereinabove referred to. Each of the uprights 7, 8, 9 of the respective rear, intermediate and front rows are also in parallel alignment with each other and lie in common planes extending from front to rear of the bleacher assemblage so that the uprights 8, 9 will abut and rest against each other as shown in Fig. 2 when the assemblage is closed with the highest intermediate upright 8 resting directly against suitable bumpers 30 of the rear row of uprights 7. The lower ends of the intermediate uprights 8 are rigidly attached to the respective bracing beams by means of welding or the like, and the upper ends of the uprights 8, 9 may all be provided with suitable guide means in the form of inturned fingers 31 adapted to cooperate with the forwardly presented beam of the next succeeding upright of highest order to provide a slide arrangement for guiding the respective tiers during opening and closing operations, the beams 11, 12 being in the form of I beams as shown in Fig. 3. In addition to the tandem wheel units 17, and the wheels 18, 19, each row of intermediate uprights 8 may also be provided with any desired number of caster wheels 32, as shown, to aid in supporting the load on the respective tiers of the assemblage. The transversely extending platform supporting members 14, 15, 16 may be secured to their respective forwardly extending beams 11, 12, 13 in any suitable manner, and these members may be formed of wood or the like. The successive rows of upright supports are movable toward and away from the stationary supports 7 upon release of the brake pad 33 by means of a linkage arrangement 34 as described in greater detail in the copending application hereinabove referred to, and the lazy tongs arrangement 20 each consisting of a series of medially pivoted levers slidably secured at their outer ends to transversely extending elements 35 of adjacent rows of the supports prevent shifting of the rows and guide the same in their movement during opening and closing operations.

As indicated, each of the platforms or tiers 14, 15, 16 are provided with a transversely aligned series of foldable chairs 21, 22, 23 respectively; and to pivotally secure these chairs in proper position on the respective platforms, suitable hinge brackets 37 may be provided, the brackets 37 being secured to the rear of the respective platforms by means of a nut and bolt assemblage 38 as shown. Each of the chairs 21, 22, 23 consist in general of a pair of rear supporting legs 39 pivoted at one end as shown at 40 to the brackets 37 and having a diagonally inclined upper end 41; a seat 42 pivoted near the rear as at 43 to 7 an intermediate portion of the rear set of legs 39; and a pair of front supporting legs 44 pivoted at an intermediate portion as at 45 to an intermediate portion of the chair seat 42, the front legs extending upwardly beyond the upper ends of the rear legs and being provided with a back supporting member 46 as shown. The rear and front pairs of legs 39, 44 are spaced an equal distance apart for movement in common planes and when swung about the pivots 40, 43, 45 to distended position as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the diagonally inclined upper ends of the rear legs 39 abut and support the front legs 44; and the back rest 46 and brackets 37 cooperate with the seat 42 to maintain the legs in properly spaced condition although an additional cross brace 47 may be provided. \It is apparent that each of the chairs 21, 22, 23 may be folded to an approximately horizontal position as shown in Fig. 4 by merely raising the rear legs 44 and swinging the same about the .pivot 45 and then swinging the entire chair assemblage downwardly about the pivot 40, and in this collapsed condition, each of the chairs 22, 23 is adapted for nesting within the spaces provided between the successive platforms 14, 15, 16, the chair 21 likewise being foldable but being exposed due to the fact that it is located on the platform of highest order.

In actual practice, the foldable assemblages may be shipped in knocked down condition for assembly in the field, and a compact package may therefore be provided for shipping purposes. The entire unit may be readily assembled in an obvious manner by first attaching the fixed rear uprights 7 to the desired wall and to thereafter provide the rows of uprights 7, 8, 9 with the forwardly extending beams and platforms. The rows of uprights secured in alignment by means of the transverse supports 10 may then be interconnected by means of the scissors or lazy tongs 20 and the upper ends of the uprights are slid onto the forwardly presented beams of the next succeeding row of higher order with proper adjustments being made in the angularity of the respective beams. The platforms 14, 15, 16 may then be provided with their respective chair seats 21, 2'2, 23 in an obvious manner by means 'of the brackets 37, and the assemblage is then ready for use.

From the foregoing detailed description, it is believed apparent that an improved retractable chair seat bleachcr assemblage has been provided which is simple, compact and durable in construction and which is moreover extremely stable, flexible and practical in actual use. The assemblage obviously comprises relatively few parts, and the tiers of chairs provide the utmost comfort for spectators. The entire assemblage may be quickly and conveniently opened to distended condition with a minimum of effort and may likewise be readily folded to a very compact, space saving and nested condition requiring a minimum amount of space when not in use. The improved seating assemblages have been put into actual commercial use, and these units have enjoyed considerable initial success and favorable comment.

It should of course be understood that it is not desired or intended to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of use herein shown and described, since various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A foldable seating assemblage comprising successive transverse rows of upright supports of gradually decreasing heights, means for interconnecting the upright supports of each of said rows, a forwardly presented platform carried by each of said rows, the successive platforms being spaced at a decreasing level relative to the succeeding platform, means for interconnecting said successive rows of supports to permit relative movement thereof toward and away from the highest of said rows with said platforms in and out of nested condition respectively, and a foldable chair having corresponding legs permanently hingedly secured to a platform of lower order with its rear legs closely adjacent to the rear edge of said platform, said chair having a back rest which extends above the next succeeding platform of higher order when said chair is in distended condition and said chair being foldable and swingable about its hinges to horizontal position whereby said folded chair is confinable Within the space between the platforms when the latter are nested.

2. A foldable seating assemblage comprising successive transverse rows of upright supports of gradually decreasing heights, means for interconnecting the upright supports of each of said rows, a forwardly presented platform carried by each of said rows, the successive platforms each being spaced at a decreasing level relative to the succeeding platform, means for interconnecting said successive rows of supports to permit relative movement thereof toward and away from the highest of said rows with said platforms in and out of nested condition respectively, and a transversely alined series of foldable chairs having corresponding legs thereof permanently hingedly secured to each platform of lower order with the rear legs of each series of chairs closely adjacent to the rear edge of their respective platforms, said chairs each having a back rest which extends above the next succeeding platform of higher order when said chairs are in distended condition and said chairs each being foldable and swingable about their respective hinges to horizontal position whereby said folded chairs are confinable within the spaces between the platforms when the latter are nested.

3. A foldable seating assemblage comprising successive transverse rows of upright supports of gradually decreasing heights, means for interconnecting the upright supports of each of said rows, a forwardly presented platform carried by each of said rows, the successive platforms each being spaced at a decreasing level relative to the succeeding platform, means for interconnecting said successive is in distended condition, said chair bearing platform being of sufl'icient width to provide a foot rest in front of said chair when distended, and said chair being foldable and swingable forwardly about its hinges to a substantially horizontal position whereby said folded chair is confinable within the space between the platforms when the latter are nested.

4. A foldable seating assemblage comprising successive transverse rows of upright supports of gradually decreasing heights, means for interconnecting the upright supports of each of said rows, a forwardly presented platform carried by each of said rows, the successive platforms each being spaced at a decreasing level relative to the succeeding platform, means for interconnecting said successive rows of supports to permit relative movement thereof toward and away from the highest of said rows with said platforms in and out of approximately vertically nested condition respectively, and a transversely alined series of foldable chairs having the rear legs thereof permanently hingedly secured to each platform of lower order near the rear edge thereof and having back rests which extend above the next succeeding platform of higher order when said chairs are in distended condition, said platforms being of sufiicient width to provide foot rests in front of their respective series of chairs when distended, and each of said chairs having the seat thereof pivotally secured to both the front and the rear legs to permit folding and forward swinging thereof about their respective hinges to a substantially horizontal position whereby said folded chairs are confinable within the space between adjacent platforms when the latter are nested.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 163,537 Shuey May 18, 1875 308,656 Du Bois Dec. 2, 1884 1,218,940 Hillier Mar. 13, 1917 2,183,056 Albach et al Dec. 12, 1939 2,706,835 Ullom Apr. 26, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 695,774 Great Britain Apr. 19, 1953 

